'Polson Graffiti' under watchful eye

The city of Polson has announced a program to assist those battling graffiti vandalism.

Code Compliance Officer Matt Ellermann shared that the code compliance division and local retailers have teamed up to assist those in Polson.

Montana Ace Hardware and Western Building Center are offering discounts on paint and paint supplies, with paint discounts limited to two gallons per customer.

To qualify for the discount, residents need to have a copy of notification from the code compliance officer stating graffiti must be removed, or a police department case report.

The paperwork can be taken to customer service counters at the stores.

“We have seen an enormous increase in this type of property crime over the past year,” Ellermann stated.

The graffiti is happening all around Polson, he said, from the west side to a few cases on the east, and up in the Ridgewater area.

The graffiti ranges in size, too, Ellermann said, appearing as small as a foot-and-a-half to an entire garage door.

The vandalism, Ellermann explained, is a frustration for homeowners as it affects property value.

CITY CODES require that the property owner, which Ellermann stated is the victim of a crime, to remove or paint over the graffiti — usually within 10 days.

Prompt removal of the vandalism appears “to reduce and deter future graffiti vandalism in the same area,” he noted.

“I think it’s going to be a great program for the city to curtail this behavior,” Ellermann said.

As officials and the community work together while the problem is “in its infancy,” he added that the city can continue “down a better road.”

The Polson Police Department has been working to track down “taggers,” or those creating the graffiti.

Sgt. George Simpson said an investigation is ongoing, and the graffiti doesn’t appear to be gang-related.

Ellermann suggests that homeowners use photo-censored yard lights to help thwart vandalism.

Another large component is watching out for one another.

“We live in such an awesome community, that neighbors helping neighbors would be a great start,” he said.

As people see the vandalism happening on their property or their neighbor’s, they should work immediately to cover it up.

THOSE CAUGHT defacing property face various penalties.

Ellermann said that usually, a suspect can be charged with criminal mischief, which can lead to a $1,500 fine or six months in the Lake County Jail, or both.

Anyone caught defacing religious or cemetery property will face steeper consequences, he added, as vandalism to those areas are considered a hate crime.

Penalties are up to a $50,000 fine and maximum sentence of 10 years in the State prison, or both.

Code Compliance Complaint forms are available online at The City of Polson website, https://www.cityofpolson.com/codecompliance/page/code-compliance-complaint-form.